Gift Season Approacheth

[kokonutmama]

Sooo, how are all the Santas doing so far?

My K is very enthusiastically building a list, and I'm trying to respect his wishes, gift-wise, but he's really short sighted and I can't afford both "good" presents and the ones he thinks he wants, you know?

He needs a new bike, but is very attached to the old one, so that's going to have to be done outside of holiday giving, as a trip to the store kind of thing.

I just got him one of those extra durable cameras off eBay, as a Santa gift.

I think I talked him into accepting the idea of a "secret adventure" as his gift from me... and maybe I'll take him to see Shrek on Broadway a few days after Christmas.  Between train tickets and theater tickets it's pretty much the mommy-gift budget for two Christmases and a birthday, lol, but I just think it would be so cool.  I'm still thinking about it.  He would either love it, or get all excited about it on the train and then be disappointed by the actual play. 

The stress of buying extended-family gifts is already starting to wear on me and I haven't even started shopping!  Somehow the joy of exchanging presents with people I rarely see and barely know and have different values and expectations than I do has never really grown in me.  It's just a chore that must be done, and a pit to throw money into.  I know, call me Scrooge. 

Anyone else?

[jnezmama02]

OY....I'm so there. My "season" has already started b/c Jessie's bday is in less than 2 weeks (still have to get her gifts and party together), then Thanksgiving less than a week after that (we have the full blown meal), then just a 1 month to get christmas for 3 kids and A LOT of extended family whom I have no idea what to buy, and a birthday party and gifts together for Emily.  Also, I not only have to figure out what I'm buying my kids...I have to come up w/ ideas for my parents and ILs of what to buy and make sure no one buys the same thing. This is my HIGH STRESS time.  I'm always SOOOO happy to make it into January, lol.  Yea, I'm pretty much a grump the last 6 weeks of the year, lol.

As far as gifts for Dec 04 kids....I have NOOOOOO idea!!!  Emily already has everything she could need or want, lol.  Honestly, if it weren't for the kids, I think I would just boycott the holiday season.  I mean, I'm an atheist anyway, so it's really a winter sollstice thing for us anyway...but it means so much to the kids so I guess I have to continue w/ "tradition".

[moogie]

Honestly, if it weren't for the kids, I think I would just boycott the holiday season.  I mean, I'm an atheist anyway, so it's really a winter sollstice thing for us anyway...but it means so much to the kids so I guess I have to continue w/ "tradition".

I'm with you there.  We're keeping it very low key and only the kids will get presents.  My mum and dad are happy with this.  oddly its Tristans side who seem to have some issue with no pressies.  Charlie knows all about christmas and she is excited so we'll still put the tree up even though its really odd to put one up in the middle of Summer.  I like christmas songs so we'll do that too and still visit family for christmas.  With presents i actually feel repulsed about the whole idea. 

For Charlies birthday though I have bought most of her things.  She is getting some WAHM clothing including a knitted skirt and beanie(just gorgeous).  She's also getting some indian style shoes, a fairy book, The little mermaid dvd, a wind up music box.  I'm sure there is something else but i also know her granny and pop will spoil her and she is getting a garden party with friends invited.

[ShannonandDel]

We aren't going real big this year. Delaney is getting a doll carseat from Santa and Fin is getting a ride on toy. From us Del is getting a princess doll, some socks, a headband and I think I will make her some leg warmers. I have no idea what to get Finley. I think maybe a hat?
for Delaney's birthday we are going to do a half B-day in June, so I don't have to worry about that now 

[kokonutmama]

Boy, Shannon, you're really on top of this!

I might end up doing donations for the extended family again this year. 

[kiskar]

Y'know, we didn't even get Ben a birthday present. Oops. We're just taking him and a little friend of his to the movies and out to lunch at his favorite restaurant. He got presents last weekend from his grandparents, aunts and uncles, so he doesn't really expect anything else. For Christmas we're getting the boys a combined gift - a Step2 kitchen - and they'll each get a pair of pajamas on Xmas eve, which is a family tradition. We will probably get them a couple of little things from Santa too. Matt and I gave each other the Wii and Wii Fit. I haven't even started thinking about extended family yet. Crap.

[kokonutmama]

I did end up getting most of the family donations.  All I have left are Kokonut, my grandfather who is seriously ill in the hospital and my SIL.  I got my mom and iPod nano, just like mine (a prev gen refurb, 'cause I'm cheap like that) which was the most fun.  Oh, and Santa is bringing Kokonut and myself solar robot kits.  they say 8 years and up, but I'm convinced he's a mechanical genius, and I'm no slouch, either, so it should be fun to do together.  I went a little crazy at the craft store (OK, very, very crazy) stocking him up with paints, crayons, an easel, and bead kits (I went to the store because they had storage "blocks" on sale, spent $70 on the storage and $200 on other stuff) but I still need one something cool from me to him.  Traditionally, the mommy gift is small and special, and I also get him something small and special and take him out to dinner for Solstice.

My dad is agonizing over whether to get mom a Wii Fit.  She has trouble sticking to an exercise habit, so we're both unsure whether it's worth the cost.

Golly, I'm chatty.    lol

[kiskar]

My mom visited us for 12 days and loved our Wii Fit, so convinced my dad to buy her one. They've both been using it every day. My mom is 65 and my dad will be 70 in March! I think that's awesome.